From The Dignitatis Humanae Institute: Luca Volontè rallies millions of supporters to defence of the traditional family

Note: The following is a press release from The Dignitatis Humanae Institute

Rome, 26 May 2013

In a letter to the millions of French citizens who comprise 'Manif pour Tous' (March for All), the Hon. Luca Volontè, president of EPP-ED group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, lauded this momentous breakout of grassroots support for the traditional family and their willingness to stand up and be recognised. While admitting of the great hardships to come in this "battle for civilisation", Mr Volontè reminded his French audience of the words of Paul Claudel, "Pour se poser, il faut s'opposer!" - "If you want to count for something, stand up and be counted!"

In describing the upsurge of grassroots campaigners as "the most beautiful surprise of Europe this year" Mr Volontè painted a stark picture of the generational struggle underway: "In recent months, from the UK to Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, many believers and non-believers, Christians and Muslims alike, have descended to the streets with the courage to protest against the laws and policies of governments that seek to change society and our very human nature. In recent months, it seems to be politically incorrect to affirm the simple truth of the facts, the truth of human life, the truth of all ages, the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, truth of the family founded on the love of a father and mother, truth of the freedom to express their own religious beliefs in public."

As opposed to the authoritarian nature of their detractors, Mr Volontè praised the restrained, peaceful courage of March for All, "Your daily presence in public places with candles, your silence for reflection and prayer are the most resonant sound you could give the French government. A silence that can move mountains and ideological preconceptions throughout France and across Europe."

Striking back at the violence brought to bear upon such protesters, the Italian politician decried the creeping censorship being embedded throughout European nations, and highlighted the police repression witnessed so recently in France against large-scale, peaceful demonstrations: "Many of us are still horrified by the violence of the police in different countries of the world...so today, in this civilized Europe, images of unprecedented violence against children, parents, young people and priests in France are not provided by the public and private television."

Yet in spite of these struggles, the letter was filled with hope and encouraged the many millions, hailed by one commentator as a "formidable and diverse mass of people" to draw strength from their unity, and evoke the memory a France's former heroes: "From Scandinavia to Hungary, Poland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands to Bulgaria, a secular and Christian people, Jewish and Muslim rises to defend his convictions and affirm their dignity. You are not alone, I tell you with strength! You have shining examples before you, who defended the unity and sanctity of the French nation, from St. Joan of Arc to Jacques Maritain, Charles Peguy and today many other brave promoters of the truth of man."

Luca Volontè concluded with G.K. Chesterton's prophetic words of a hundred years ago: "Fires will be kindled to testify that two and two make four. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer. We shall be left defending, not only the incredible virtues and sanities of human life, but something more incredible still, this huge impossible universe which stares us in the face. We shall fight for visible prodigies as if they were invisible. We shall look on the impossible grass and the skies with a strange courage."

Speaking during his visit to France, Luca added "I would like to thank the leaders of Mainf pour Tous for inviting me to their manifestation, it is a great honour and a great sign of our close friendship."

[Letter translated from original French, which can be read here]

The Dignitatis Humanae Institute aims to uphold human dignity based on the anthropological truth that man is born in the image and likeness of God and therefore has an innate human dignity of infinite worth to be upheld. The Institute promotes this understanding by supporting Christians in public life, assisting them to present effective and coherent responses to increasing efforts to silence the Christian voice in the public square.

Take A "Catholic I.Q. Test"

Today, I took the "Catholic I.Q. Test" online. It is a fun and interesting test to take. You don't have to be Catholic to take the test, either.

It makes you think about what you know (or think you know) about the Church history, scripture, the Sacraments, the heresies, the clergy, the Mass, the Holy Eucharist and more.

It takes about 2 hours (roughly) to complete the test. You can register (not required), and start the test, and then log back in with your registered name and password to complete the test later.

Also, when the test is completed, it will show you your score automatically, and they will email you the results if you'd like, with reading suggestions for the areas you are weaker in, which is a nice touch.

Another nice feature is, it will allow you to post your score, according to your parish, country, and your parish location, too.

A perfect score on the test is 202. I scored 181.

So go take the Catholic I.Q. Test here.

Chicken if you don't!

Addendum: The blog visitors from Canada, Alabama, United Kingdom, Norway, and West Virginia are NOT chicken!

The remaining 50 of you who didn't go...I hear the sound of flappin' wings...

Need Your Prayers

I find myself still in need of your prayers for my needs. Please keep me and these blogs in your prayers.

Thank you all! May God bless you and Our Lady keep you in her care!

A Prayer Request For Oklahoma

Tomorrow, is May 22, my birthday, in which I like to say, it is the 19th anniversary of my 39th birthday.

That however, is not the important thing here. The important thing right now (to me anyway) is to pray for the tornado victims in Oklahoma. Many of us, myself included, are very blessed to never have suffered the devastation that a tornado can bring.

We complain and gripe about the weather...it's too hot...it's too cold...it's too dry....it's too wet. Yet many, if not most of us have never truly suffered from such devastation that weather can bring in the form of tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding, just to name a few.

So, I am going to post here a prayer to Saint Rita of Cascia, and also one to Saint Jude the Apostle. Both are patrons of desperate and impossible causes, and I feel that the victims in Oklahoma may feel that their situation is both desperate and impossible.

I also chose both saints, because Saint Rita's memorial is on my birthday, May 22, and Saint Jude is my patron saint. Both have certainly helped me in my situations that I have felt were desperate and impossible.

Thank you Saint Rita of Cascia and Saint Jude the Apostle for prayers answered.

Prayer to Saint Rita of Cascia

Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, you were humble, pure and patient. Your pleadings with your divine Spouse are irresistible, so please obtain for us from our risen Jesus the request we make of you: the relief, uplifting, and healing of the people afflicted by the tornadoes in Oklahoma. Be kind to us for the greater glory of God, and we shall honour you and sing your praises forever. Glorious Saint Rita, you miraculously participated in the sorrowful passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Obtain for us now the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of this life, and protect us in all our needs. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Jude the Apostle

Glorious Saint Jude, with faith in your goodness we ask your help today. As one of Christ's chosen Apostles, you are a pillar and foundation of His Church on earth. You are among the elders who stand always before God's throne.

Brother Jude, you are renowned for your kinship with Christ and your physical resemblance to our Savior. Help us to remain close to Christ and resemble Him in our outlook and actions.

Holy Apostle, you are venerated for your work of preaching the gospel and your faithfulness to Christ by a martyr's death. Assist us to preach the good news of Christ by word and example, and remain steadfast in His service as you were.

From your place of glory, do not forget the needs and difficulties of Christ's little ones like us, still struggling on the way home to God. Pray for us that we may receive the consolation and help of heaven in our necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly pray for the consolation and help of Heaven for the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes, and that we may praise God with you and all the elect forever.

Intercede for us all, gracious, brother Saint Jude, and pray for us to the Lord our God in our daily toil and our necessities. Amen.